
ftass 
Book 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 



/ 



AN AUTHENTIC REPORT 



— AND — 



HI S T O R.^2- 



— OF — 



ST. ANDREWS BAY, 



BY PAUL A. CL1FF0Rd\ 




This Book has an especial reference to the property dig. 
posed of by the St. Andrews Railroad Land and Mining 
Company, in which thousands are interested. 



CLEVELAND, OHIO. 

1888. 



^~:l I 



r 



e4 




Copyright by Robert O'NeU, St. An Irew., F.a. Sae page 














PALMETTO TREE. 

FROM A PHOTO BY PRO!. HAND, 8T. ANDREWS, FLA. 



CONTENTS. 



THE ORGANIZATION ; 5 

OUR DEPARTURE 7 

TITLE OF LAND 9 

PEN.SACOLA HARBOR 10 

FROM PENSACOLA TO ST. ANDREWS 11 

OUR ARRIVAL 12 

THE INVESTIGATION 13 

DESCRIPTION OF THE LAND, ETC 14 

DISTANCE OF LOTS FROM POST-OFF lUE 20 

THE SOIL 24 

COST OF CLEARING THE LAND 26 

THE CLIMATE 27 

HEALTH OF THE COUNTRY 29 

THE WATER 31 

ITS INDUSTRIES; BEE KEEPING ETC 32 

ST. ANDREWS BAY 35 

FISH AND OYSTERS 36 

SAW MILLS.— INDOLENT INHABITANTS 37 

PROSPECTS -..40 

THE COST OF BUILDING 43 

ST. ANDREWS MARKET REPORT 44 

TAX ASSESMENT , 46 

CONCLUSION T. 59 



PREFACE. 



It has been the aim of the author to state focts in a 
simple, but concise way; just as if he were sitting by your 
side conversing upon matters pertaining to St. Andrews 
Bay, from personal observation . This work is not a novel, 
but a straightforward, truthful statement of its prospects, 
advantages, disadvantages, etc. It is a volume of valua- 
ble information, worth a greatdeal to any one interested at 
St. Andrews, as it can be relied upon as a true statement 
I from actual observation. Circumstances over which the 
author had no control has delayed the publication at 
an earlier date. 

Errata.— It is t » be regreted that several errors have 
crept in, which is due to "proof reading," the most im- 
portant are as follows: 

On page 31, where it reads " we then sat this out to 
cool," should read *'we had set this out to cool." On 
page 23, where it reads (see prefac.-) we refer you to 
page 47. On page 43, -May"' should read, map. On 
page 40, (after the description of ''Indolent Inhabitants") 
begins the subject ''prospects" the heading being left out. 

The Author. 



THE ORGANIZATION. 

^""^URINGthe months of Octo])er, November, 
U and December, 1SS6, np to March, 1887, 
the St. Andrews Bay Railroad, Land, and Min- 
ing company, Washington County, Florida, 
(office 227 Main street, Cincinnati, Ohio), 
through advertising in the leading news- 
papers in the country, also issuing pamphlets 
and circulars, giving elaborate descriptions, 
glowing accounts, and magnificent pictures 
of a ''balloon view" of St Andrews and vicin-. 
ity, attracted the attention of thousands who, 
upon these representations, invested their 
money, securing warranty deeds of (with but 
few exceptions) lots ranging from 26 x 88 
to 22 X 165 feet. 

Probably nine-tenths of all who invested 
in this property did so with the intention of 
making their home in the ''Land of Flowers.'' 

It now became a question of importance, 
and of considerable anxiety, to know if the 
representations of this company were truthful. 

Is the title of this land perfect? How far 
are lots located from St. Andrews Bay? Will 
it pay to settle on them? What are they 
worth? What are the products of the coun- 



6 Authentic Beport of 

try? Its future prospects, society, church 
privileges, etc., which we are fully able to 
answer in the following pages of this work. 

From experience we found that no informa- 
tion whatever could be obtained from any 
source through correspondence with parties 
from whom we had reason to expect some at- 
tention; but to the contrary, in most instances 
would pay no attention only by the return 
stamp on the envelope and send back with no 
reply. We were naturally indignant, and be- 
gan to devise means by which we might ob- 
tain the desired information. 

In November, 1887, we inserted in a Cleve- 
land newspaper the foUov/ing notice: 

'Tarties liolding deeds of lands purchased 
of St. Andrews Bay Eailroad, Land and Min- 
ing Co., Washington County, Florida, will 
hear of something to their advantage, by 
sending address to Paul A. Clifford, Cleveland, 
Ohio, at the same time a meeting being called, 
to be held at my oihce. A large number were 
in attendance at the meeting, the matter dis- 
cused, and it was agreed that a society be 
permanently organized under the name of "St. 
Andrews Bay Investigation Association." 
The following officers were duly elected: 



St. Andi'ews Bai/, Florida. 7 

President, J. Otis ; Vice-President, A. Stein ; 

Secretary, P. A. Clifford ; Treasurer, Dr. 

Darby. It was thought advisable by the 

association, that an investigation should be 

made, which w^ould enhance the interests of 

all concerned, and at the same time it was 

considered best to assess each holder of deed 

twenty-five cents, in order to raise funds 

sufficient to send one of our number to St. 

Andrews Bay, make a thorough investigation 

of said property, and report the same to the 

association, that all contributors might have 

a reliable statement of affairs as they actually 

appeared. Accordingly we were appointed to 

make this investigation. 

OUR DEPARTURE. 

On February 15th, Ave took our departure 
for the South, taking the Bee Line from Cleve- 
land to Cincinnati. 

We stopped off at Cincinnati one day , for 
the purpose of calling upon the editor of The 
Progressive South, 256 Main street, but found 
j he was not in t^he city. My object was to 
I learn whether or no the Journal was in the 
interest of the company, but the information 
was unsatisfactory. We then called at the 
general office, 227 Main street, and inquired 



8 Authentic Beport of 

for Mr. Weber, but he was not in. We made 
our business known to the head clerk, Mr. W. 
H. Whetstone, who cordially invited us into 
the inner-office. He said, ''We have heard 
something of this Investigation Association, 
having received one of your circulars. We 
have no objections, and are anxious that an 
examination of the affair, so far as we are 
concerned, be made, ha^dng no fear but that 
our connection with the St. A. R. R. L. & M. 
Co. is correct. " You see those pigeon holes ? 
(pointing to scores of square holes around the 
office). Well, they contain recorded deeds 
for parties to whom we have mailed according 
to address, as you see by the post marks, 
''returned," "uncalled for." Now, sir, you can 
see at once, that we are not to blame for care- 
lessness on the part of correspondence in this 
direction. We have been unable, so far, to 
find where to send the deeds, or return the 
money, and we are not only willing, but anx- 
ious, to send the money or deeds, to all who 
will notify us of their correct address. AVe 
have been persecuted through the Press, but I 
assure you there has been no just cause for 
complaint, as our intention has been, from 
the outset, to deal honestly with all wdio have 
done business with the compan3^ 



St. A7id)'ews Bay, Florida. 9 

ARRIVAL AT PENSACOLA. 

We took the 8 p. m. train on the Louisville 
& Nashville Rail Road, at Cincinnati, arriving 
at Pensacola on Thursda}^, February 16th, at 
1) a. m. Upon our arrival we learned that the 
Schooner ^'Nettie" would not leave her dock 
until Frida}' night, the 17th, so we had a day's 
stroll about town. I called at the office of W. J. 
Van Kirk & Co., Real Estate Dealers, that we 
might, if possibly, learn more about this busi- 
ness, as from previous correspondence, we had 
been informed that the Cincinnati company 
had purchased this property from the Van 
Kirk Co., of Pensacola. These gentlemen re- 
ceived me cordially, and gave me a great deal 
of valuable information, which was of mate- 
rial benefit to us in making the investigation 
at St. Andrews. We give the statement of Mr. 
Van Kirk, in his own language, in reference 
to the title of this propert}^ 

TITLE OF LAND. 

"We would say, that the railroad land that 
the Cincinnati Co. purchased of us down at 
St. Andrews, was donated from the State, to 
the railroad company; said railroad company 
holding deeds, signed by the Governor and 
his cabinet. As to the land that the Cincin- 
nati Co. purchased from Van Kirk, Dubois & 



10 Authentic Report of 

Webb, personally, this land, said V. D. & W. 
entered from the U. S. by cash entry." 

There is no doubt as to the genuineness of 
the title to this property, as in either transac- 
tion there has been but one transfer made. 

PENSACOLA HARBOR. 

Although this work is principally a report 
of St. Andrews Bay, and vicinity, yet a passing 
notic e of Pensacola Bay and Harbor, would 
be no more than justice, as well as interesting 
to the reader. Pensacola Bay, is one of the 
finest ports and harbors on the Gulf of Mex- 
ico. It has an area of about 200 squp^re 
miles; is thirty miles long; of an average 
width of at least three miles, and a depth of 
from twenty-five to thirty feet, which is also 
found at the wharves at Pensacola. This 
thriving and enterprising city, has a popula- 
tion of about 14,000. The Louisville & Nash- 
ville, the Pensacola & Perdido railroads now 
run into the city. The Pensacola & Memphis 
railroad broke dirt on June 1st, and will be 
completed within the year; making Pensacola 
the seat of a large and increasing trade in 
timber, lumber, naval stores, and fish. The 
rapid growth of the surrounding country is 
adding to, and diversifying the commerce. 
Vessels of any draught, can sail right up to 



St. Andrews Bay, Florida. 11 

the wharves. There is everything, in fact, 
that is needed to furnish facilities for the 
largest sort of commerce. 

FROM FENSACOLA TO ST. ANDREWS. 

We left Pensacola on board the schooner 
"Nettie" about 11 p. m., with two other pas- 
sengers, arriving at St. Andrews Bay on Sun- 
day morning, the 19th, making the trip in 
seven days. If one was sure of connections 
at Pensacola, oy boat, the trip could be made 
in three days. The fare from Cleveland to 
Pensacola, first-class, $25. 2o; from Pensacola 
to St. Andrews, by boat, $5.00 By the way 
of Chipley, $5.25. From Chipley accross the 
country to St. Andrews, by stage, a distance 
of sixty-five miles, from $5.00 to $7.00 besides 
hotel bill on the route. There is a Steam- 
ship line from Pensacola, down the Gulf of 
Mexico, touching at Tampa, Key West, and 
other ports on the coast, but does not make 
regular trips to St. Andrews, a distance of 
125 miles, making it comparatively unpleas- 
ant; although captain Frank Ware, and crew, 
of the Schooner^ "Nettie,'' are gentlemanly, 
[ and endeavor to make everything as comfort- 
able as possible for passengers during the 
voyage. If not detained by storms or head 
winds, the schooner leaves her dockatPensa- 



12 Authentic Report of 

cola, every Friday night, arriving at St. ki\- 
drews, Saturday night or Sunday. 

Strangers coming to St. Andrews by water 
from Pensacola are attracted by the peculiar 
snow-white sand, all the way down the coast, 
resembling the snow banks in the North. 
This sand can be utilized in the manufacture 
of glass, artificial stone, etc. A gentleman at 
St. Andrews has been experimenting with 
this sand in the manufacture of marble, with 
gratifjang results, producing some very hne 
specimens. 

OUR ARRIVAL. 

As the vessel rounded Capt. Ware's wha^rve 
at St. Andrews, her lines being made fast, we 
were greeted by the usual compliment of hotel 
and boarding-house agents, who, with much 
zeal, represented to us the advantage to be 
derived, by taking up our abode in their re- 
spective domicils. At this moment we discov- 
ered our grip-sack walking down the pier, and 
naturally inclining my footsteps in that direc- 
tion, soon brought up at the Hamilton house, 
a cottage home, and but a few steps from the 
beech, and only a short distance from the Post- 
Ofhce. J. S. Hamilton (who is now proprietor 
of St. Andrews hotel), and his estimable wife, 
have a faculty of making things pleasant and 



Autlientic Report of 13 

home-like, and guests soon feel as much free- 
dom, as if they were in their own home, en- 
joying the comforts of the family circle. 
After dinner, we took our seats out on the 
porch, where we had a delightful view of St. 
Andrews Ba}^ whose placid waters were dotted 
with small sail crafts, freighted with pleasure 
seekers. My thoughts of home were w^afted 
back to Cleveland, where but a few days befote 
v/e were in a climate of overcoats and mittens, 
the mercury frisking about the zero point; 
base burners kept booming to keep Jack frost 
from crossing the threshhold; and instead of 
the sailing j^acht, the majestic steed and sleigh 
of 2-40 record, with its festive load muffled 
to the eyes with robes and sealskins, mean- 
dering up and down Euclid Avenue, while we 
are sitting on the porch at the hotel at St. 
Andrews Bay with the temperature at 75^ F. 
enjoying a balmy breeze wafted from the 
Gulf of Mexico. Well, I thought this is about 
as near "Paradise" as one can get on this earth, 

THE INVESTIGA.TION. 

The first thing I did next morning, Monday, 
was to make inquiry, and obtain all the 
information we could, in reference to this 
property. We purchased a sectional map of 
township three and four, south, range four- 



14: St. Andreivs Bay, Florida. 

teen west, and marked the several lots and 
parcels, as described in Quarter Sections, and 
blocks, according to descriptions, as received 
from contributors, so as to know, as near as 
possible, their location, as we went over the 
tract. We had been informed that we would 
find but few of the stakes, on the corners of 
blocks, they in many instances having been 
burned, as a tire had run through the woods, 
and others had been knocked down, as they 
had not been securely driven into the ground. 
We found that it was much more of an 
undertaking than we had supposed, and 
that it would be impossible for us to go over 
every lot, as it would require a surveyor, at a 
great expense, and there had been no provi- 
sion made for that purpose. It rained a por- 
tion of several days, which prevented us for 
the time being, from going into the woods. 
It is said by residents here, .that during the 
winter months, rains ate quite frequent, and 
that enough falls during the summer, to keep 
the ground moist, so that vegetation does 
not suffer from drouth. 

DESCRIPTION OF THE LAND, ETC. 

The tract of St. Andrews Bay, Railroad, 
Land, and Mining Co. extends over nearly 
the whole of township 3 south, range 14 west; 



Authentic Report of 15 

also sections 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, of township 4 
south, range 14 west; making a body of land, 
nearly six miles, by seven miles, in dimen- 
sions, or forty-two square miles. I have been 
over this land in several directions, and found 
a greater portion covered with scattering 
pitch-pine timber, ranging in size from six to 
eighteen inches in diameter, growing to tjie 
height of from forty to sixty feet without a 
limb ; the larger growth being valuable for 
lumber. The land is generally high and dry^ 
of a greyish, sandy soil, although there are 
tracts of three, five, and perhaps ten acres, of 
a slight depression, an*d sometimes after a 
heavy rain will be somewhat wet, but soon 
dries off. The subsoil of this low land is a 
hard clay, or as the natives call it, " hard-pan." 
It is generally covered with a rank growth of 
sward grass, which makes good pasture for 
stock. 

A considerable portion of the land is inter- 
spersed with "Tie-Ties," or what are common- 
ly termed in the North '' Catholes ; " the only 
difference thos^ of the North are invariabl}^ 
a low, wet, marshy place, filled with flags, cat- 
tails and frogs; while the '' tie-ties " here is a 
piece of land containing one, and sometimes 
three or more acres. These " Tie-ties " are 



16 St. Andrews Bajj, Florida. 

almost impenetrable by man or beast, owing 
to the heavy growth of brush or prickly pear- 
wood, intermingled with a variety of vines 
and briers. These "Tie-ties" are nsuallv ]on«r 
and narrow, often being but twenty to fifty 
feet in width, and several rods in length. And 
what seems so wonderful is that a stream of 
water, fed by springs along the banks, runs 
through the center. On an average there are 
from two to five "tie-ties" on a quarter sec- 
tion. The first impression a stranger would 
have of one of these places, would be that 
they were worthless; a great waste; full of 
malaria; a breeder of disease; but this is a 
mistake. By clearing these tie-ties, you have 
from two to six feet of black muck, a fertili- 
zer that is of great value, and of sufficient 
quantity to enrich every foot of land in Fla.; 
beside, you have a stream of living water for 
stock and irrigation purposes. As I before 
stated, this tract extends six miles from east 
to west, and about seven miles from north 
to south. With but few exceptions, it is laid 
out in blocks containing from 2^ to 5 acres; 
each block containing from 32 to 40 lots, 
varying in size, according to plat or system. 
I will discribe block plated in diagram No. 1 
as quoted from printed statement of the com- 
pany: 



Authefitic Report of 17 

"Streets are fifty feet wide, except on out- 
side lines, which are 25 feet. 

^'Blocks are 330 feet, by 660 feet, and con- 
tain five acres. They run to center of street. 

"Lots are 44 feet, by 165 feet; they contain 
one-sixth of an acre, and run to center of 
street; small lots on north and south end of 
blocks are 26 x 88 feet. 

"Alleys are 18 feet wide, and run north and 
south through the center of each block; lots 
run to center of alley.'' 

Two systems were employed in platting this 
tract into blocks, as described in diagrams 
No. 1 and No. 2. In block No. 1, the lots on 
the end are 26 x 88 feet; and on the side 44 by 
165 feet; so that all descriptions of lots 22 by 
165 feet, represent one-half of one lot in this 
system of block. For instance: a description, 
(belonging to a subscriber), reads thus: south 
half lot 6, S. -I of lot 7, S 4 of lot 8, S. A of lot 9 
and S 4 of lot 10; each 22x165 feet, signifies 
one-half lots, as represented in diagram No. 1. 
Other parties holding deeds of alternate one- 
half lots, another description reads thus : 
(as ajoining lot) north one-half of lot 26, and 
S. I of lot 27, which comprises the size of one 
lot 44x165 feet; other parties owning the 
other one-half of each lot. 



IS 



St. Andrews Bay, Florida. 
No. 1. 



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2 


3 


4 


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39 


38 


37 


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^ North one.half. 


16 


17 


18 


19 


20 i i 


25 


27 


23 


22 


21 



Authentic Report of 
No. 2. 



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20 St. Andrews Bay, Florida. " ^ 

Lot 25x102 feet, as platted in the second 
series as represented in diagram No. 2. Ac- 
cording to the company's description of pkit, 
the lot begins at center of street, which are 
50x25 feet. One-half of street and alle}^ are 
taken off the end of lots, so that all lots are 
minus the distance of from 12-i to 25 feet, and 
nine feet for alley. 

The manner in which most of these lots are 
sold in S3^stem No. 1, can. onl}^ be explained 
by the company. Many deeds call for one 
lot o2 X 165 feet, when in reality it is but a 
one-half lot, whether it is the north one-half 
or the south one-half is not designated, and 
when surveyed, confusion is liable bo occur. 
Other descriptions are north, or south one- 
half of several lots, while alternate one-half 
lots belong to other parties. If these one- 
half lots w^ere side by side, they might be of 
considerable value, but besng divided are 
much depreciated in value. 

DISTANCE FKOM POST-OFFICE- 

The Post-OfHce at St. Andrews is located in 
Section one, of Township four, south, Range 
fifteen, west. The following Table gives the 
distance of Sections, in Townships three and 
four, south, Range fourteen, west, from cen- 
ter of Section. 



Authentic Report of 21 

The Bay extends from the South around to 
the North of T. 3, S. R. R., 14, west, the north 
part of the Bay being ca.lled the ^' North 
Ann." So that very few lots] are farther 
than three or four miles from some part of 
the Bay. 

Sec, Bay P. O. j Sec. Bay P. O. 

Miles. Miles. | Miles. Miles. 

1 * 10 24 a 7 

2^9 25 4 7 

8 4 8 26 4 6 
4 4i 7 27 a 3 
7 i 6 28 8 4 
8^6 29 2* 8 

9 1 8 30 ll 2 

10 1 7 31 ii 2 

11 1 9 32 2 3 

12 H 10 38 2i 4 

13 2i 9 34 3" 5 

14 ^ 8 35 8 6 

15 2 7 36 U 7 

17 1 6 T. 4, S. R. 14 

18 i 5 13 6 

19 1 3 2 2 5 

20 2 4 3 2 4 

21 3 5 4 13 

22 3 5i 5 i 2 

23 8 6 6 i 1 



22 St, Andrews Bcfij J Florida. " ' 

PROPOSED RAILROADS. 

A few years since, a railroad was surveyed 
and partly graded from Cbipley to St. An- 
drews Bay, a brief history of which, will be of 
interest to the reader. The following inform- 
ation was given me by a gentleman, who at 
that time, was in a position to know all the 
particulars: 

*^In regard to the railroad from Chipley to 
St. Andrews, which is partly graded, I would 
say that one D. C. Aldrid, of Chicago, claimed 
that he could build this railroad; and came 
down here with a corps of engineers, and put 
them to work; and after having made the sur- 
vey, contracted for building said railroad 
with a railroad contractor, of this country, 
named F. W. Vischer, who w^orked until the 
first payment was due, up to which time he 
had nearly all the right away cut, and about 
twenty miles of grading done, and as Aldrid 
failed to show any finances it was dropped 
there, and nothing since has been done ." 

As regards a railroad to St. Andrews Bay, 
there are two lines surveyed. The old dine, 
which is partly graded from Chipley, running 
on the town line between 13 and 14 west, to 
St. Andrews Bay. The other line is surveyed 



Authentic Beport of 2Z 

from (see preface) through near the center of 
the Cincinnati Oo.'s tract to the Bay. 

The reader must bear in mind, that this 
whole tract is a wilderness, with scattei-ing 
yellow" pine, scrub oak, palmetto, and tie-ties. 
The stage road, (called the Chipley road), runs 
through nearly the center of this tract, and 
one can ride several miles without seeing k 
house, or signs of agricultural pursuits. I 
would not say that the company's transaction 
is fraudulent. Thej^ made a bona fide sale of 
these lots, and so far as I have been able to 
examine, the deeds are valid and regularly 
recorded at Vernon, the County Seat. The 
lots are small in size; but the investment 
is also proportionately small. This, however, 
does not excuse the company, for the com- 
plicated manner in which this property is 
platted, w^hich must cause much confusion 
when the lots come to be surveyed. 

In the event of either of the two roads al- 
ready surveyed, being completed to St. An- 
drews Bay, it will open up this whole country, 
and these city lots will be of some value. 

There will, no doubt, be much trouble ex- 
perienced in the future, from the manner in 
which deeds have been granted for these lots. 



24 St. Andrews Bay, Florida, 

For instance, I have several descriptions from 
families consisting of parents and children, the 
children ranging in ages from eighteen to 
twenty years, dow^n to one month; deeds made 
to each individual from six, eight or more in 
a family. In case parties should let their 
property go by default, from non-payment of 
taxes, a clear title cannot be given, for when 
these minors become of age could claim this 
property, no matter what value might have 
accrued from the natural rise in the marlvet 
price of real estate, or improvements on the 
same. 

THE SOIL. 

The soil is of a very light quality, and of 
a greyish color, except in the low lands, 
where it is of a dark loam. People from the 
north coming to St. Andrews, are amazed at 
the apparent barrenness of some of the land; 
are apt to pronouncethe soil worthless, so far 
as a high degree of productiveness is con- 
cerned. When I visited St. Andrews in Feb- 
ruary, I was much impressed with the barren 
and worthless appearance of the soil through- 
out this countr3^ I went down there for the 
purpose of learning what I could about this 
country, and worked dilligently to accomplish 
that end. Although the appearance of the 



i. 



Authentic Beport of 25 

surface is anything but encouraging to one 
contemplating agricultural pursuits, yet from 
a personal examination of the soil am satis- 
fied that, with but little trouble, and compar- 
atively small expense, the land can be brought 
to a high state of productiveness. Where the 
land has been cultivated and fertilized for a fev^^ 
years, a marked change is apparent. The 
once light gray soil has met with a wonder- 
ful transformation, and is now of a dark sandy 
loam, producing the most luxuriant growth of 
vegetation. I saw two patches of Irish pota- 
toes, that were planted on the 8th of Decem- 
ber, looking as fine as any I ever saw in the 
north, and in February had a mess for dinner. 
It reallj^ seems as if nature had done more 
for St. Andrews and surrounding country 
than for anj^ other portion of the continent. 
This country needs men and women of nerve, 
enterprise, and pluck. It requires as much 
labor, hardship, and endurance, to clear, 
and to cultivate land in Florida, as it does in 
any State in the Union. The land must be 
fertilized, before satisfactory results can be 
obtained; but iwhen Vv^e consider the natural 
resources at hand, and the comparativelj^ 
small expense with which to accomplish it, 
it is surprising that St. Andrews had not been 
settled by enterprising people fifty years ago. 



26 St. Andrews Bay, Florida. 

The tie-ties interspersed throughout tlie coun- 
try are of incalculable value for this purpose. 
A rich muck, from three to six feet in depth, 
which, being mixed with a small cjuantity 
of lime, make a strong, rich compost of suffi- 
cient quantity to enrich the whole State. 
Another fertilizer, is a sea grass and moss, 
that washes up on the beech from the Ba}'. 
Hundreds of loads can be obtained with no 
expense but the hauling. If people would lay 
out the same amount of capital and labor 
on the land here, that is done in the north, a 
far greater margin on the investment would 
be realized. 

COST OF CLEARING LAND. 

The cost of clearing and subduing the land 
wholly depends on the condition of the same. 
In some localities the ; expense is compara- 
tively light; costing from eight to twenty 
dollars per acre; while in other localities, 
the cost would be from fifty to one hundred 
dollars per acre; but the latter price is of rare 
exception. The " hummock" land, which is 
generally covered with live oak, hickory, and 
other varieties of hard wood, is considered the 
most difficult and expensive to clear, but is 
said to be the best land. The greatest diffi- 
culty experienced in clearing some of this 



Authentic Report of 27 

land, is that in cutting out the roots of the 
'^Saw Palmetto.'' The roots are from three 
to six inches in diameter, and from four to six 
feet in length. These Palmetto roots are of 
a curious growth, of a strong, fibrous nature 
and can be unwound, having the appearance 
of being woven. They are used in the man- 
ufacture of paper wheels used for our fine 
railroad coaches; the fibrous are also used in 
the manufacture of brushes etc.; although at 
St. Andrews, the roots are piled up and burned 
After the land is cleared, a substantial fence 
is necessary, as hogs and cattle are allowed to 
run at large. 

THE CLIMATE. 

This is a very important consideration, to 
all contemplating a home at St. Andrews. 
The winters are similar to our Indian sum- 
mer in Ohio, having occasional frosts, and 
occasionally a chilly day — in fact, an over- 
coat would make it much more comfortable. 
There is one peculiar feature in regard to the 
winds in winter. Although they are quite 
strong at times^, and chilly, yet there is not 
that edge, which we experience farther north ; 
but the air is soft and quite invigorating. 

I was at St. Andrews in the months of Feb- 



28 St. Andrews Bay, Florida. 

riiary and March, and during that time, there 
was only two days but what the honey bee 
was at work. On the night of the^ 7th of 
March, the thermometer marked 28^ F, but at 
8 o'clock a.m., the weather had moderated, 
and before noon the mercury had risen into 
the forties. In the yard stood a tub contain- 
ing water, which had frozen to the thickness 
of one-fourth of an inch. I naturally ex- 
pected to find vegetation killed by the frost. I 
visited a potatoe patch, that was planted on 
the 8th of December, and found that only the 
very tips of the vines were injured. I then 
visited an orange and fig grove, but found the 
trees had received no injury whatever; and 
when, on the 8th day of April, I left St. An- 
drews, on my return home, these trees were 
loaded with fruit. The saltwater breeze from 
the Bay had neutralized the frost, leaving 
vegetation uninjured. There can be no doubt, 
however, but that if this extreme cold weather 
had continued twenty-four hours, the result 
would have proved disastrous. This was the 
coldest night of the winter. The climate 
is considerably warmer in winter, than is 
found in the same parallel farther west. 

As regards the summer temperature, from 
personal observation, am unable to report- 



Authentic Report of • 29 

but a gentleman from Ohio, now residing at 
St. Andrews, stated that last summer '87), the 
w^armest day the thermometer registered 97^ F 
a temperature seldom reached in this locality; 
still, it was not uncomfortably warm weather, 
as there is a constant breeze off the Gulf, 
''Sun Stroke" has never been know^n on the 
western coast of Florida; neither is the cli- 
mate subject to sudden changes as is experi- 
enced farther north. This country lies south 
of the thirty-first parallel, and in the north- 
ern belt of the north-east trade winds of the 
Atlantic. This accounts for the constant and 
delightful breeze experienced on the coast. 
Although the days in summer are quite warm, 
the nights are correspondingly cool, blankets 
being necessary to make one comfortable, 
giving refreshing sleep and rest to the weary. 

HEALTH OF THE COUNTRY. 

Upon the dry lands nothing but imprudent 
exposure of person ; eating unwholesome food; 
drinking impure water; and by living near 
extensive swamps and marshes, will induce 
malarial disease. There is nothing in the soil, 
water, or vegetable growth that will cause 
miasma. The flat, wet lands off the dry ridges, 
the thick hummocks, cypress swamps, and 
banks of tidal sloughs are to be avoided as 



36 St. Andreivs Bay, Florida. '^^ 

places for residences; all others are healthy 
locations. 

''On the dry lands, pure springs supply the 
best of drinking water. That much dreaded 
scourge, Yellow Fever, has nex^er been known 
to enter the dry pine ridges, and the whole 
region is unknown to death-dealing dyphthe- 
ria and typhoids^ so common in the North. 
Also/small pox^ measles, and scarratina, lose 
its virulence. The heat from the rays of the 
sun never prostrates a man in the field, for 
the hottest hour of less than 100 degrees al- 
ways has its accompanying breezes, and is 
followed by a cool night for refreshing sleep.'^ 

The country on either side of St, Andrews 
Bay is of this dry ridge pine la,nd, hence the 
healthfulness of the climate is assured. All 
classes of chronic disease of the kidneys, and 
incipient pulmonary cases are benefited, and 
in many instances a permanent cure effected 
by a few months^ residence. I knew of sev- 
eral of the ver}^ worst cases of catarrh cured 
in three or four weeks; also, two cases of 
chronic rheumatism, I had been troubled 
with ^kidney complaint for years, but after 
three weeks here were free from the complaint 
and was in perfect health forthe first time in 
several years. 



r Authentic Report of 31 

THE WATER, 

There seems to-be a deposit or body of soft 
pure water underlying St, Andi-ews and vi- 
cinity, at a distance of but twelve to twenty 
feet from the surface. An abundance of wa- 
ter may be obtained by putting down what is 
known as a ^'drove well.'' To build one 'of 
these wells all one has to do is to provide him- 
self with an 14 gas pipe, the required length, 
attach a perforated point, and with a maul 
drive it into the ground. Then screw on an or- 
dinary pump (fitted for the purpose) and your 
well is complete. One day, being quite thirsty 
after a long walk, I stopped at a house and 
asked for a drink of water. The gentleman 
of the house took a glass and dipped the wa- 
ter out of a pail. I requested of him to let 
me pump it fresh from the well; " but," says 
he, ''You will not find it as good; it is warmer;" 
we then sat it out to cool. The water, when 
first drawn, is several degrees warmer than 
the atmosphere, and is very much improved 
and made cooler by being drawn and set aside 
for awhile. These wells are inexhaustible, 
during the dryest of weather, and put down 
anywhere on high ridge land the purest and 
most healthy water may be obtained. The 
cost of sinking one of these wells, including 



32 St. Andrews Bai/j Florida. 

pipe, pump, and labor, is from twelve to fif- 
teen dollars. 

ITS INDUSTRIES, 

St. Andrews, though rich in resources, as 
yet is an undeveloped town. It has a popu- 
lation of 1,200 or 1,400, nearly all northern 
people who have settled here within the past 
three years. During that time quite a num- 
ber of fine residences have been erected, be- 
sides many other similar ones being in pro- 
gress of erection, giving the aspect of a thriv- 
ing town. The people are sober, industrious 
and enterprising, and of the very best society. 
They have their temperance and literary so- 
cieties — four churches, the Presbyterian, the 
Baptist, the Methodist, and the Evangelical. 

BEE-KEEPING IN FLORIDA. 

One of the most profitable industries is bee 
keeping; an extract from a report by W. S. 
Hart Vice-President North America Bee-Kee- 
pers' Society^ will be of interest to the reader. 

^'Florida, though possessing within her bor- 
ders all the requisites for successful bee-keep- 
ing, is in that, as in many other branches of 
industry, one of the last States of the Union 
to have her wonderful resources developed by 
the magic wand of skilled labor. Not until 



Authentic Report of S3 

within the last four or five years has her 
honey been known in the markets of the 
north. 

To those who know Florida as the "Land of 
Flowers," sunshine, of snowless winters, the 
home of the honey-bee, where no diseases of 
any kind have ever been known to effect 
them, it seems strange that skilled apiarists 
should not have been attracted to her pleas- 
ant shores rather than trust their fortunes in 
Ohio, New York, Michigan or Canada, where 
many a fine apiary is* nearly or quite 
destroyed, and the hopes of its owners blasted, 
by the cold and its after effects, each season. 

How often does the evening's mail bring to 
the writer the sad story of the Northern bee- 
keeper, telling of the loss of 20, 50 or 100 per 
cent, of his bees "freezing out," starving out, 
at a time when they could not be fed, "spring 
dwindling" or dysentery, and expressing the 
hope that he might soon migrate to this fa- 
vored State, where none of these troubles are 
known. It may be supposed by some, as a 
possible reasoil for this slow development 
here, that perhaps our honey is of poor qual- 
ity, small in quantity or uncertain in its flow, 
or that the bees, learning that they can get 
enough to eat at almost any time, get lazy 



34 St. Andreivs Baij, Florida. 

and will not store much surpltrs. Neither of 
which surmises are true, as Can be shown by 
the experience of the writer who eight years 
ago, took home two swarms of bees, since 
which time he has increased his apiary to 148 
stands, and never until this season got an 
annual averasre of less than one hundred and 
thirty pounds of extracted honey p'er stand. 
The season of 1884 we started with 88 sands, 
increased to 117, and took a little over 23,000 
pounds, or ele\en tons and a half qf honey, by 
actual weight, per stand. So much for quan- 
tity, lazy bees and the reliability of the crop." 

There are eight groceries and dry-goods 
stores; one furniture store; two drug-stores; 
three hardware stores; two jew^elry stores; 
two millinery and dress-making; several ho- 
tels and boarding-houses; a brass band; one 
newspaper, The Messenger, terms, $1.50 per 
year; and tw^o public schools. There are also 
three schooners making regular trips between 
St. Andrews and Pensacola. 

The town extends about two miles along 
the Bay, with scattering buildings. There are 
no saloons, consequently no jail or poor-house, 
but a quiet, God-fearing, and law-abiding 
people. 



.* Authentic Report of 35 

ST. ANDREWS BAY. 

This is the most beautiful and picturesque 
body of water off. the Gulf of Mexico. It ex- 
tends east, west, and north, a distance of over 
sixty miles, extending (as before mentioned) 
around three sides of the land belongin^^ to 
the Cincinnati Co. This great body of salt^ 
water is from one to seven miles in w^idth, 
and of good depth, to Vv^hich naturally is trib- 
utary a wide area of timbered land. The 
depth of water over the bar is from seventeen 
to eighteen and one-half feet; across inner 
bar, seventeen and one-half feet; at the an- 
chorage, off Davis Point, twenty-two and one- 
half feet; at the anchorage, off Courtney's 
Point, twenty-five and one-half feet; from the 
bar through the Korth Channel, eleven and 
one-half feet; up the Bay to Red Fish Point, 
(entrance to East Bay) two and one-half feet; 
from abreast East Point to Lost Point, fifteen 
feet; up the Bay, from Davis Point, to Dier's 
Point, (junction with North and West Bays) 
twenty-four feet; thence to North Bay Point, 
twenty-seven feet; up West Bay to Crane 
Point, fourteen and one-half feet. The Pe- 
ninsula, extending toward the south, protects 
the Bay from the boisterous winds and high 
waves of the Gulf, leaving the beautiful bay 



36 St. Andreivs Bay, Florida, 

comparativel.y smooth. Pleasure excursions 
by water are frequent the year round. 

FISH AND OYSTERS. 

There is probably no location where fish 
and oysters are more plentiful, and of better 
quality and flavor, than at St. Andrews Bay, 
and off the pass in the Gulf of Mexico, in 
close proximity to the harbor. If St. An- 
drews had the shipping facilities that is 
offered at other ports, this enterprise would 
assume a commercial importance of no small 
note. There are several fisheries here, but 
they are compelled to sail to other ports for 
railroad transportation, taking from St. An- 
drews an enterprise that would enhance her 
wealth and prosperity. The finest flavored 
oysters are sold for $1. per thousand in the 
shell, fifteen cents per quart for meats; or one 
can take a boat and anchor out in the 
Bay and in a few hours rake up a boat load. 

There are several Schooners engaged in 
fishing in the Gulf, off the port of St. Andrews 
for the Pensacola market, thence shipped to 
New York and Philadelphia. 

There are also schooners engaged in fish- 
ing with the hook and line for the Pensacola 



Authentic Report of 37 

market; from thence the fish is shipped to 
New York and Philadelphia, Vvdiich wonld 
not be the case had St. Andrevs^s the necessa- 
iv means for transportation alike that of 
other more favored seaport towns. 

SAW-MILLS. 

St. Andrews has two saw-mills, with a lim- 
ited capacity, not being able to supply the 
demand. This, however, will soon be obviated, 
as several contemplated saw and planing- 
mills are to be erected in the near future. 
There is every inducement to warrant a pay- 
ing investment in this enterprise, as the sup- 
ph^ of timber and the demand throughout the 
whole country will continue for several years 
yet to come. It is to be hoped that the day 
is not far distant when facillities for the man- 
ufacture of all kinds of dressed lumber, of un- 
limited quantity can be had for building pur- 
poses, adding much to its industries. 

INDOLENT INHABITANTS. 

Upon taking up this subject we would not 
have it underst9od that w^e will in any way con- 
vey an impression that the people, as a whole, 
who were ])orn and raised in Florida are any 
the less intelligent or enterprising than those 
of any State in the Union. We came in con- 



38 St. Andrews Bay, Florida. 

tact with many of these people, and found 
them to be inteiligent, courteous, generous 
in the highest sense. 

As an illustration of the indolent, or the 
easy-going, '"don't-care-a-continental" class, I 
will give a brief sketch of some of their pecu- 
liarities. This class of people generally live 
in log huts, by the side of some stream; 
one will observe adjoining the hovel a small 
"truck patch." The owner of this mansion 
is generally built proportionately like a rail; 
is about the same size from the feet up. 
He wears no shoes — "don't need 'em." He is 
donned in a grey shirt and blue overhauls, 
tied around the waist with a tow string or a 
rope made from bark stripped off young >a>p- 
plings. He retires early, but the nights are 
cool, and tho'bed enchanting, so he forgets to 
arise in the morning until about 9 o'clock. 
He gets up, adjusts his scanty raiment, steps 
to the door (which is a blanket), yawns, rubs 
his eyes, walks into the "patch," pulls a few 
potatoes, and a few ears of corn, and his re- 
past is soon finished. After breakfast, he 
plants a half-dozen hills of potatoes and a few 
hills of corn, returning to the house, takes his 
ancient shot-gun down from the pegs and dis- 
appears in the woods. Toward evening he 



Autlte)itlc Beport of 39 

returns with perhaps a squirrel or two, or some 
wild fow^l that has fallen a victim to his un- 
erring aim. Finally conies ''ma^rket day." 
He has an ox that he calls ''Brock," which he 
proceeds to harness in the following manner: 
through a 2x4 piece of wood, having two 
holes, he inserts a bow, passing around 
"Brock's" neck, with a key at the top; then he 
attaches a two-wheeled vehicle called a "cart" 
with pole thills wmich is tied with tow strings 
to the bow; after tying a part of his wife's 
clothes-line to '^Brock's" horns he is readj^for 
the trip. The outfit is not elaborate, as but 
little is needed; a little store tea, a pound of 
sugar, the indespensible tobacco, etc., a very 
little satisfies this easy-going people. 

In "swap" for these, the^^carr}^ a small bas- 
ket of eggs, a few potatoes, and perhaps a 
chicken or two, they climb upon the seat, 
the driver taking the lines, start up the team 
and they are off for town. 

In going through the woods one day, there 
were so many roads verging in every 
direction that I were indecisive which one to 
take, and seeing a cabin but a short distance 
from me, I went to inquire the distance to the 
"forks" at the junction of two roads. "Well" he 
says, "I reckon it^s about two looks, and a 



40 St. Andrews Bay, Florida. 

right smart walk." He meant that we should 
look as far as we could, and after arriving at 
that point, look again, then quite a walk after 
reaching the place. After going the distance, 
I should think it was about three miles. This 
class of people have no aim in life above that 
of simply living; their little "^patch"' provides 
them with most of the necessaries of life, and 
by an occasional planting, the garden is re- 
plenished. There are, how^ever, but few of 
this class in Florida. pKosPEors, 

In writing upon this subject, Vv^e find it diffi- 
cult to express our view^s, in a manor not to 
mislead, or create an undue enthusiasm, that 
would cau«5e those contemplating a visit to 
St. Andrews, with a view of making it their 
home, to meet with disappointment. 

One does not see those beautiful lawns and 
shrubbery that in their season, decorate the 
home in the north; nor the gas lit, and paved 
streets, nor the beautiful carriages and horses. 
This country is not so far advanced by fifty 
years; a new countr}^ with undeveloped re- 
sources. It means hard w^ork, self-denial, 
courage, and perseverance. When we con- 
sider the natural advantages for which St. 
Andrews is noted, the Bay containing so large 
an area of navigable salt water, extending in 



Authentic Report of 4i 

all directions, its prospective commercial in- 
tercourse with the whole world, its coming 
industries in fish, lumber, and fruit, with 
small towns springing up on both sides of the 
Bay, cannot but make its prospects bright. 

The soil, will produce pears, peaches, figs, 
plums, apricots, olive, mulberry, oranges, and 
other varieties of semi-tropical fruits. The 
orange culture is not considered a profit- 
able investment here, although there are a few 
thrifty groves that appear to be doing well. 

Ten acres here will produce more than forty 
acres in the northern States, as two or more 
crops a year can be profitably produced from 
the same piece of land ; in fact, ten acres of 
land at St. Andrews is more than two men 
could well cultivate. I visited W. M. Croman's 
estate at St. Andrews, who owns about four 
hundred acres of valuable fruit land, which he 
has platted into ten acre lots, and offers them 
for sale at a very reasonable price. Last Dec, 
j January and February, he set out nine hund- 
I red fruit trees, which are all growing nicely. 

A gentlenjan farther up the bay planted 
nearly two thousand trees. It is estimated 
that sixty thousand trees had been planted 
the past winter in the vicinity of St. Andrews. 



42 St. Andreu's Bay, Florida. 

I also visited the estate of G. B. Thompson, 
who has several choice live acre lots for sale. 
Also Mr. Demerest, at Grove Park. ^ These 
gentlemen are reliable, and will gladly give 
any information desired, by addressing them 
at St. Andrews, Washington County, Florida. 

Robert O'Neal, of St. Andrews, publisher of 
a valuable sectional Map, 18x21 inches, giving 
a minute description of the plats sold by the 
Cincinnati Company, the bay and its surround- 
ings, location of the oyster beds, the East and 
West "Passes," the only entrance to the Bay 
from the Gulf of Mexico ; location of St. An- 
drews and other towns along the coast on both 
sides of the Bay, and many other points of 
interests, valuable to all property holders. 
The price of this May is only $1.00, and if de- 
sired the publisher, Mr. O'Neal, will mark your 
lot or parcel on the map so that one may know 
the exact location of their property. The 
map used in this work is a fac simile of Mr. 
O'Neal's map, which he kindly granted us the 
permission to use. It has been considerably 
reduced in size, in order to fit the pages of our 
book, hence a portion of the map is left off. 
Mr. O'Neal will be found reliable, and any 
correspondence with him will be cheerfully 
and promptly attended to. 



Authentic Beport of 43 

Fruit cultiira I think, will rank foremost 
among the enterprises at St. Andrews and vi- 
cinity, and one of the leading varieties 
is that of the Le Conte Pear. In point of 
flavor the fruit ranks high among the pears 
of this country. For keeping qualities it has- 
no equal ; hence, it is the best for shipping to 
distant markets. It will bear transportatiofi 
to any part of the United States, and always 
"demands a good price. Tt is, by far, more 
profitable to grow than oranges. Fruit trees 
here, of all descriptions are subject to no 
blight whatever. There are agents here who 
furnish any variety (with but few exceptions) 
of fruit trees for about eight dollars per one 
hundred. 

People contemplating settling at St. An- 
drews should come prepared (unless for pleas- 
ure) to purchase a piece of land and improve 
it. In the way of mechanical or skilled labor 
there is nothing to do just now. There are 
no manufactories, and but few enterprises 
where labor is required, with plenty of men 
to do the w^ork. ^ 

THE COST OF BUILDING. 

The cost of building, with lumber, is reduced 
to the lowest possible figure. The amount 
and cost of clothing, the expense for fuel and 



M 



St. Andrews Bay, Florida. 



of food for the fami!}^ are at iniiiiiimrn rates. 
Cattle and ^lieep can gather their food from 
the ranges and prepared pastures. 



ST. ANDREWS MARKET REPORT. 



PROVISIONS. 



Wheat Fiower, per bbl...v6 00 

Corn 85 

Potatoes, Irish, per bu — 1 60 

Sweet *' 1 00 

Sugar-Cared Hams, p^rlb 12 

Rice 07 

Beans per lb 06 

Mess Pork " 10 

Fresh Pork *• 8 to 10 



Laid 

Baiter 

Breakfast Bacon.. 

l-heese 

Oat Meal 

Florida Syrup, per gal 

Honey 

Vinegar 

Salt per 100 lb 



n 


10 


u 


30 


u 


14 


K 


16 


il 


05 


^al... 


... 60 


1 ( 


1 00 


(( 


40 




.60 



GROCERIES. 



Sugar. per lb §09 

Sugar, Light Brown *' 07 

Tea, Green " 50 to 90 

Tea, Black "45to 80 

Coffee, Green 25 

Coffee, Brown per lb. 30 

Conden'd Milk, per can 15 to 20 

Bkg. Powder, " 25 

" Royal " 50 

Ginger Sna{)S. per lb 10 

Crackers, Soda '' 08 



K. Oil, per gallon .* 20 

Plug Tobacco, per lb. 40 to 60 
Canned Peaches, per can,... 20 

" Apples two lb 15 

" Tomatoes " 10 

" " three lb. 15 

" Beef Dried, per can, 25 
" " Corned " " 15 
Il:ii.-ins,London Lay., perlb20 
'< Valencias, *| 15 

Evapo. Apples, per lb , 15 



DRY-GOODS. 



Prints 5 to 07 

Sheeting 6| to 09 

Bleached Muslin 7 to 11 

Jeans 25 to 40 

Ginofhams 10 



Thread 05 

Flannel 25 to 50 

Shoes, Ladies' $1.50 to $500 

*' Men's .... 1.50 to 4 00 



Authentic Report of 



FURNITURE. 



45 



Chairs 70 to H 50 

dockers $l.(jO to 5 50 

'^'abies 2.75 to 7 50 

'^tniuls ].50to4 50 

Bedsteads 2.50 to 50 



^P^^^gs 2.00 to 5 00 

Mattresses 3.00 to 7 00 

Cupboards 3.75 to 7 25 

Uardrobes 12,50 to 15 00 

^Ofoforts 1.50 to 1 75 



LIVE STOCK, 

Horses ?80to§lb0 j Hogs 

^tules 100 to 320 ( Sheep 

Cattle per Yoke SoO Goats 

Cows, per Head $15 to 1525 j 

MISCELLANEOUS. 



4 00 
2 00 



Hay, per 100 lbs §1 40 

Lime, per bbl 175 

Oats, per bushel 65 

Bran, per 100 lbs 140 



^^ie]led Corn, per bu ^-^ 

f"'^^^"'^ 20 to 25 

I urkeys y- 

Gonliers, per doz .'."^S 00 



The dreaded scourge " yellow fever" has 
visited Jacksonville, with all its virulence 
which has thrown a gloom over the whole 
State. This fever is not a local disease but 
liable to attack New York, Philadelphia 
or any other sea port town. It is a ship fever 
I and its ravages can only be kept out of our 
sea port towns by the most vigilant quaran- 
tine. For several years there has not been 
a case of this fever in Pensacola, Fla., nor in 
St. Andrews, as the ''Passes" are easily guard- 
ed, and a most rigid quarantine service is 
observed. 



46 St. Andrews Bay, Florida. 

A word about insects and reptiles. The 
mosquito is quite troublesome a part of the 
season, also the flea, and '\sand-fly;" the latter 
insect is so small as to be hardly visible, yet 
they are a great pest, getting into one's eyes, 
and otherwise causing great "vexation of 
spirit/' The flea seems to grow spontaneous; 
you don't have to look for them, they make 
their whereabouts known voluntarily, and 
you become aware of their location, with a 
certainty that is marvelous. Alligators are 
said to be numerous, yet they are not "tramps," 
but abide in lagoons and cypress swamps, 
being content to remain in localities best 
adapted to their natural proclivities. 

PROPERTY IS ASSESSED FOR TAXES 

in May and June, and are collected in Nov. 
and Dec, of each year. B. B. Brown is the 
assessor, and John Roach, tax collector. B. 
B. Brown's address iis Econfina, and J. Roach, 
Vernon, both addresses being in Washington 
CO., Florida. If deeds are to be recorded, address 
Recorder of Deeds, Vernon. Taxes can be 
paid direct by correspondence with B. B. 
Brown, assessor, or through an agent at St. 
Andrews. Your property must be listed for 
taxes by June, of each year, to be on the tax 
roll for collection in November or December. 



Aidheutic Report of 47 

EUFAULA & ST. ANDREWS BAY AIR LINE R. R. 

The following is taken from the Floridian, 
of a recent date. " Tuesday afternoon, Sena- 
tor McKinne, of Jackson, introduced senate 
))ill No. 149, being an act to incorporate the 
Eufaula & St, Andrews Bay Air Line Railroad 
Company. The work undertaken by this com- 
pany will be of great benefit to the portion of 
Florida w^hich the contemplated road will 
traverse, and doubtless to that portion of Ala- 
bama in which the enterprise has origin. The 
road will be one hundred and forty miles in 
length, and passing through country •singu- 
larly favorable to its cheap construction, will 
connect the waters of the Chattahoochee at 
Eufaula with the Gulf waters at the beautiful 
bay of St. Andrews. Its construction will as- 
sure to the now isolated coast region as its 
terminus the development which will be sus- 
tained by the natural advantages of which so 
much has been written, and the route will 
open up an area of country in Jackson and 
Washington counties, which only needs rail 
facilities to becQme populous and productive, 
and dot the line of road with flourishing towns 
and villages. Much very fertile land lies near 
the route, and vast forests of valuable timber 
as yet untouched by the ax. The road will 
make St. Andrews the port of considerable 



48 St. Andretvs Bay, Florida. 

exports, and imports will pass from it up into 
Alabama and Georgia. This company has a 
splendid charter and a grant of land from the 
State," but cannot say that there is an imme- 
diate prospect of building the road. As be- 
fore stated, this contemplated road is surveyed 
through the center of the Cincinnati compa- 
ny's land, from north to south, and I think the 
most important of the two railroads for the 
development of the country in which so many 
thousand are interested as owners of city lots. 

We are indebted to The Gulf Stream for 'SS, 
published by W. J. YanKirk, real estate deal- 
er, Pensacola, Fla., for the following extract, 
which is as applicable to St. Andrews as 
Pensacola, which reads as follows: 

^'People who should not come to Florida." 
"Those who like a cold climate the best 
will certainly not enjoy a climate where the 
average temperature of the year is sixty-seven. 

"Those who expect to come here and find 
w^ork in manufactories, and make enough in 
this way to buy themselves lands, will be dis- 
appointed for the reason that this is not a 
manufacturing State any more than Michigan 
was in 1835. The same applies to clerks and 
artisans generally. Certainly there is a lim- 
ited number of these places in larger towns, 



Authentic Eeport of 49 

but plent}^ to fill them. No doubt most 
of you will find in all these new places spring- 
ing up some work at your trades, but if you 
come you had better start with the intention 
to take the land and become producers. 

Also, don't come here with the impression 
that we are short of official material, and that 
you can live by your wits and politics. We 
have a full stock on hand to manufacture our 
Governors, Senators, etc., out of. We want 
citizens, not politicians. 

Lastly, don't come elated with glowing let- 
ters some correspondents have sent North of this 
State, from which you would almost* suppose 
you could lie around under the trees and have 
the oranges, pineapples, etc., drop into your 
mouth. This is no such country. So don't come 
and be disappointed. The beautiful homes 
this country is dotted with a^re the results of 
hard labor and constant care. We can truly 
assure you nature does more for a man here 
than in any otlipr place on this continent. 

"If 5^ou come herewith strong arms and 
cheerful hearts willing to profit by the expe- 
rience of others, and have the pluck and am- 
bition to surmount the obstacles that will 
arise in developing all new countries, then 



50 St. Andrews Bay, Florida. 

come and you will have a reward for all the 
energy and well-directed labor you have put 
forth upon your homes." 

THE SOUTH AND THE YANKEES. 

From the Greenville (S. C.) News. 

"The two sections began life together and 
formed a government. The South had the 
advantage of soil, climate and wealth. At 
the end of eighty-four years the two grappled 
and fought. The Yankee section came to the 
fight richer and stronger than our Southern 
section, and beat us into the earth while we 
did our best. To-day these Yankees are rich 
in everything, and we are poor in everything 
but manhood and womanhood, and have less 
than we began with a hundred years back. 
These same Yankees furnish the bulk of the 
capital we use, the food we eat, the clothes 
we wear, the books we read and study, the 
high grade teaching in the normal schools of 
the Southern States. Almost every conven- 
ience of life, and invention of art br science 
we know, comes from these same people, who 
have in ten years done more with Florida than 
the Florida natives have in fifty. Almost any 
one of their large communities could buy the 
whole South for a park, if they liked it for 
that purpose. In a tight they could crush us 



Autlientic Report of 51 

like egg-shells. In politics, they are our mas- 
ters, and we have to hold our breath in every 
big campaign, to avoid offending them. Their 
percentage of ignorance is one-tenth of onrs. 
'; When trouble comes on us, wedepend on them 
for most of the help, and get it. The world 
knows them as America, and us as outlying 
and inconsiderate provinces. They are pro- 
ducing the representative poets, painters, and 
authors of the country, while we trail along 
behind with our eyes fixed on them, hardly 
daring to hope that we may become as strong 
and rich and enlightened as they are by years 
of hard work. 

The majority understand, that while we 
were making statesmen and warriors, and 
ruling politics, the Yankees were making ter- 
ritory, building manufactures, and develop- 
ing a countless army of trained minds and 
hands, strengthening and enlightening their 
masses, and makingthem an exhaustless reser- 
voir of intellectual and physical power; and 
j that if we are to share the Yankee wealth, 
I strength, and place in the world, we must use 
some (not all) Yankee ideas, and abandon 
some (not all) of your own." 



52 St. Andrews Bay, Florida. 

YOU WANT TO GO TO FLORIDA. 

From the C. M. C. in N. Y. South. 

Do you, and have little money? Well, 
then, consider the hard facts, and let us see if 
you are man enough to accept them. 

Are you easily discouraged; inclined to be 
homesick when among strangers; to look on 
the dark side of things; or, in other words, do 
you lack pluck? Tlien, don't come? 

Have you a large family of little children, 
or a delicate wife, who would pine for the 
home comforts and society of the North? 
Sure!}^ then, Florida, or any new country^ 
will only bring disappointment. 

Have you an idea that the State is a beau- 
tiful, blooming paradise, and that $1,000 per 
acre can be realized the first year from crops? 
Again, you are sure to be displeased. 

Have you no taste for horticulture or out- 
door employment; and had rather work in a 
factory than cultivate the soil? Then Florida 
is no place for you. 

We are meeting any quantity of just such 
persons as the above every day. They are 
serving as waiters in the hotels; picking or- 



Authentic Beport of 53 

anges at $1 per daj, or more probablj^, loafing 
about their boarding-houses, cursing the coun- 
tr}^ and their luck, when no one is to blame 
but themselves. On the other hand, we know 
any quantity of young men who are endowed 
w^ith plenty of pluck and perseverance, who, 
content with small things at first, are rapidly 
rising to be wealthy, influential citizens, and 
have accomplished more in a limited period 
in Florida than the sharper competition of 
the North would have a^llovved them to do in 
a life-time. What Florida needs is men, in 
every sense of the word. The conditions are 
such that the idle, inefiicient, are likely to be 
sifted out, and under the law of the survival 
of the fittest, there will remain a class that 
will be a credit and a blessing to the common- 
w^ealth. These are plain words, but not a 
whit plainer than the occasion demands. 

AGRICULTURE IN FLORIDA. 



By JUDGE J. G. KNAPP, Agricultural Editor 
of the ^' limes Union." 

Whoever shall come to Florida with the 
expectation of finding what he has been ac- 
customed to see in other places, will assur- 
edly be disappointed. The greater the dis- 
tance he may have traveled, especially from 
the North, the greater will the change appear. 



54 St. Aiidrews Ba//, Florida. 

But the trees, plants, animals, soil and 
seasons have changed, and a slight stretch of 
imagination will see a change in the men, 
women and children; certainly in their dwell- 
ings and clothing. In the forests he will 
miss the majestic oaks, chestnuts, maples, 
poplars, bass woods, walnuts, butternuts, hick- 
ories, beeches, birches, etc. None of these 
grow in Florida, or if few are found they are 
in some cold soil, and in diminutive propor- 
tions. The trees of Florida are of other families 
and species. The newcomer may be amused 
for a season, but he must differ from the ma- 
jority of mankind if the changes do not work 
dissatisfaction in a short time. If he comes 
from the rocky hills and mountains of ISTew 
England and iNew York, from the drift and 
boulder regions of Michigan and Wisconsin, 
he will miss the stone fences and gravel soils; 
if from the black sedimentary plains of Illi- 
nois and Iowa, he will be disgusted with the 
sandy soils of Florida. He will not find the 
clsijs and muds of Ohio and Kentucky. Come 
from where he may he will not see in the for- 
ests of Florida the trees under which he spor- 
ted when a child. 

He will not see fields of hundreds of acres 
of wheat, oats, barley and corn, nor four 



Authentic Beport of 55 

horses hitched to a gang of plows or to a reaper, 
plowing, cutting and hinding ten acres in a 
da3% nor two horses to a seeder that sows as 
many acres. Come from where he may, ex- 
pect what he may, he finds changes nnlooked 
for. Most likely in his superficial knowledge 
he declares the ridges of Florida are barrens, 
and the flat lands are only swamps. He makes 
up his mind in a day and nothing can change 
it. Back he goes and writes and talks in his 
ignorance. Florida is better for his absence. 
Some come expecting a change; they find 
it. They investigate the causes, see the capa- 
bilities of the State, and become permanent 
residents. Such are wanted. 

THE LE CONTE 1?EXR.— Times- Democrat . 

Having written you about a year ago in 
reference to the Le Conte pear, giving some 
facts relating to this wonderful fruit, especially 
with reference to its qualities as a shipping 
fruit, T desire more particularly in this article 
to refer somewhat to its superior quality in an 
evaporated, dried, preserved and canned con- 
dition. As an qvaporated fruit, it has a very 
beautiful white color, slightly granulated sur- 
face, very salable in appearance, and number 
one in quality. 

During the past season, I observed an article 



56 St. Andreivs Bay, Florida. 

in one of our daih^ papers, stating that the 
whole crop of one of the largest growers in 
Georgia, amounting to several thousand lbs. 
of evaporated fruit, had been purchased by a 
New York firm at the rate of fifty cents per 
pound. As the average product of one bushel 
of pears is eight pounds of evaporated fruit, 
this would net about $4 per bushel. The 
Le Conte as an evaporated fruit is certainly 
quoted much higher in the markets than any 
other fruit. In a preserved condition we 
know^ of no other fruit rivaling it in excel- 
lence, both in quality, richness and delicacy 
of flavor, as well as the comparatively small 
cost of preservation. In the many ways I 
have mentioned, this fruit can be utilized, 
and there is no good reason why any family 
with a dozen Le Conte pear trees growing on 
their premises may not have this delicious 
fruit upon the table in some shape at all sea- 
sons of the year. 

I adverted in mv last letter to the larsre re- 
turns realized from the sale of fruit, as well 
as the great increase in the value of the land 
upon which a grove is set, but thinking per- 
haps some of your readers may not have read 
ni}^ former article I will recapitulate in brief. 



Authentic Report of 57 

THE LE CONTE PEAR. 

In this section of Florida the Le Conte pear 
industry has almost entirely superseded the 
orange culture, and the result is almost as 
surprising in the great advance in value of 
pear groves as is exhibited in orange — for ex- 
ample; A two-acre pear grove, four year old 
trees, which cost at planting, $124, sold the 
past winter for $1,000, or $500 per acre. The 
purchaser, who will the coming season be 
able to gather a large crop of fruit, has but 
recently entered into a contract to sell the 
cuttings for $250, thus getting a return of 25 
per cent, of his money the first year, and 
before the trees are bearing. Another grove, 
one-half the trees three years old and one-half 
one year old, costing originally $250, sold re- 
cently for 1,000, and the purchaser has already 
realized a very handsome per cent, from cut- 
tings alone. Neither of the groves I have 
mentioned could be purchased now for 50 per 
cent, advance on the purchase money. 

These are soi^ie instances of the advance in 
value of groves, and I will now give some ex- 
amples of the profits arising from the sale of 
the fruit: 

A tree at ten years old, then in its prime, 
will bear twenty to thirty bushels to the tree; 



58 St. Andrews Bcuj, Florida. 

fifty trees to the acre at twenty bushels, 1,000 
bushels — halve it and we have 500 bushels. 
Five hiindred bushels at $3 to |4 per bushel, 
$1,500; halve it again and we have $750 to 
the acre. Thus we can see wdiy capitalists 
will pay $500 per acre for groves, or land to 
put out groves upon. 

Instances can be multiplied of the parties 
in this section who have realized just such 
profits as I have mentioned. Take an exam- 
ple in this country from two trees, seven or 
eight years old; this gentleman gathered 
thirty bushels of pears, selling them at $2 per 
bushel, netting him $30 per tree. An acre, 
forty-nine trees, at $30 per tree, w^ould net 
$1,470 to the acre. A gentleman reports a 
yearly income of $500 from seventeen trees. 

Now, I have no grove to sell, neither have 
I any trees to dispose of; so it cannot be said 
that I have an ax to grind. or have any reason 
to misrepresent this fruit or to exaggerate its 
merits ; but I am a business man, interested 
in the welfare and prosperity of our country. 
The low price of cotton, coupled with a par- 
tial failure of the crop in some sections, has 
very naturally caused the farmer to despair of 
making anything, or saving even a living out 
of a cotton crop; more especiall}^ when there 



Authentic Beport of 59 

is such a drain upon his resources in the shape 
of corn and meat, bought in the North and 
West, carrying all the surplus mone}^ out of 
the country, and leaving the producer of cot- 
ton scarcely a living; or, perhaps, worse in 
debt than v\^hen he began his crop. We must 
produce something that will bring us ready 
money in the summer, and bring back some 
of the cash sent every year to the North and 
West for grain and meat , and in my humble 
opinion the Le Conte pear will undoubtedly aid 
in the good work. — John Dean. 

CONCLUSION. 

Taking into account the whole matter of 
climate and healthfulness, cheapness of land 
and the facility with which it may be pre- 
pared, the extent and varied productions, and 
that some of them are constantly growing, 
the warmth of the winters, which tempe- 
rature seldom falls below forty degrees, and 
I the cool summer breezes, pure water, and the 
cheapness of living, taking all these advanta- 
ges into consideration, it seems wonderful 
that this ''lovely St. Andrews by the sea," 
should have remained an undeveloped town 
to this day. 

The cost of living at St. xindrews is less 
than in the Northern States. Some few arti- 



60 St. Andreics Bay, Florida. 

cles of consumption may cost a trifle more 
than in the northern States, but many com- 
modities are much less. Room and board is 
from $4 to $6 per week. One cau see by the 
published market report in this work, that 
the price of groceries, dry goods, boots and 
shoes, clothing, etc., vary but a trifle from the 
price of the same articles in northern cities. 

The commodity of fuel alone, is worth con- 
sideration, as contrasted between the north 
and south. There are very few of the labor- 
ing class but what dread the long cold winter of 
the north, continuing nearly one-half of the 
year. We are obliged to exercise the most 
rigid economy during the working months, 
to be able to provide fuel, clothing, and 
the necessaries of life, that our wives and chil- 
dren may be made comfortable, and sheltered 
from the cruel blasts of winter. The most 
expensive and indispensable item of house- 
hold expenditures is fuel, either in wood or 
coal, the latter commodity being principally 
used in our manufacturing towns in the north. 
A family needs from six to ten tons of coal 
for the winter, at an expenditure of from $3 
to $6 per ton in Cleveland, 0., and from $S to 
$10 farther north. 

The average laborer receives $1.25 per day. 



Authentic Beport of 61 

$1. 50 per week; out of this he pays $2 for 
rent, $4 for provision. $1 for fuel, and has left 
fifty cents for clothing his family. Providing 
he has six day's work a week, with fifty- 
two weeks in a year, with no sickness, he 
can manage to live.; otherwise it would be 
impossible to ''make both ends meet," and he 
comes out at the end of the year in debt. 

Many an honest, faithful, hard-working man 
has been branded as a felon, because through 
sickness he has been unable to meet the de- 
mands of his landlord, for bills contracted for 
the actual necessaries of life, I shall not at- 
tempt to solve the labor problem, but would 
say that there is no place on this continent 
where climate, conditions, and capabilities 
have done so much for the poor, but honest 
working-man, as Florida, Supposing a poor 
man possesses an acre or two of land, and 
I i)lants it with fruit trees; while these trees are 
I being brought to maturity, or to the age of 
I fruit-bearing, he has the use of the land for 
I crop-raising, and not only raise enough upon 
I which to support his family like a prince, but 
1 has a surplus which demands the highest price 
in the market. 

Clothing does not cost one-half as much at 
St. Andrews as in the North, from the fact 



62 St. Andreivs Bay, Florida, 

not one-half as much is needed. He does not 
have to contend with the cold, bleak winds off 
the snow-clad hills, and in bound coasts of the 
north five months in the year. There is not 
a day in the year but what one can work in 
the field. The winters on the western coast 
of Florida are very much like our Indian sum- 
mer in the northern States. There is consid- 
erable rain in winter, and occasionally a cool, 
damp day; also numerous f^^ostS, but not 
enough to destroy vegetation. I would cau- 
tion all who contemplate making St. Andrews 
their home, to go prepared with means suffi- 
cient to secure a piece of land, of not less 
than one acre; oiie needs five or ten acres, 
with enough money to support your family at 
least six months. Do not go with the expec- 
tation of procuring sufiicient work to support 
your family and pay for a place. There are 
no such chances, or if there are any, there are 
plenty of men there to do the work. There 
are no steamships ur ocean crafts landing at 
the wharves of St. Andrews to give employ- 
ment to the laborer. As yet St. Andrews is 
not a commercial town of any great import- 
ance, nor will not be for several years to come. 
It does not require as much money to live 
here six months as it does at the North, but 
cominf^ here means hard work, self-denial, 



Authentic Beport of 63 

and perseverance. Land ca.n^ be purchased 
for from §20 to $50 and %7o per acre, accord- 
ing to location. City lots range in price from 
$25 to $500. As for healthfulness, St. An- 
drews is second to any locality on the conti- 
nent. There ij? but" one physician here, who 
owns a drug-store, and I verily believe if it 
were not for other business the poor man 
would starve. This doctor is a whole-soul fel- 
low, ''well met," w^ho is generally at his drug- 
store, near the Post-Office, and will be the first 
one to welcome yon w^ith a grasp of the hand. 
to the '^ beautiful St. Andrews by the sea." 

The people of St. Andrews are intelligent 
citizens, kind-hearted and generous, and wel- 
come all who come here wdth the intention of 
becoming citizens. St. Andrews is fast be- 
coming noted as a health resort, both in sum- 
mer and winter- — many owning a residence, 
and remain through the winter, while others 
only coming for the summer season. The 
climate is equally as delightful in summer as 
in winter. No ^better society can be found 
anywhere; the people generally are church- 
goers. They have their young peoples' liter- 
ary society, temperance sooiety, etc., and ex- 
tend the hand of fellowship and greeting to 
a stranger. 



C4 St. Andreics Baf/, Florida, 

In regard to the Cincinnati Company's lot^, 
in wliich 8omajiy thousands are interested, al- 
though beautifully located, and most of them 
on high and dry land, yet, as before stated, 
they are in the woods, consequently no im- 
provements in the vicinity of this tract. How 
long this property will remain in this unset- 
tled condition it is impossible to tell, but from 
present indications, some years will elapse be- 
fore improvements will be made that will 
materially enhance the value of this land. On 
the map one can plainly see the two proposed 
railroad routes, as now surveyed through this 
tract, and in the event of either of them be- 
ing completed to St. Andrews Bay the prop- 
erty along the line will be of more value. 
At all events the land is of sufficient value to 
ensure a good investment by paying the taxes 
and holding onto it. Taxes may be paid di- 
rect by sending description of your property 
to B. B. Brown, Assessor, Econfina, Wasington 
County, Florida. Your property must be listed 
by the 1st of June, of each year. After the prop- 
erty is assessed, the taxes are collected by 
John Roach, of Vernon, the county seat of 
Washington county. Parties owning five 
acres, or even two acres on this plat, is well 
worth improving, as there is but a small por- 
tion but what is worth from $10 to $25 per 



Authentic Beport of 65 

acre. In some portions of the country game 
is quite abundant, such as bear, deer, possum, 
wild turkeys, etc., and occasionally venison is 
brought to St, Andrews' market. Fish and 
oysters are in abundance; anj^ quantity of 
beautiful, finely flavored trout are caught 
at any time m the Bay with a hook and line. 
Oysters are free to any one who will take the 
trouble of catching them. 

In place of the beautiful horses and carria- 
ges, as seen in the North, we have the sailing 
and steam yachts, by which one can sail to 
the most interesting points of this lovely bay. 
All* who are able own a sailing yacht, and pic- 
nics and excursons are quite frequent. 

I would not have it understood that any 
one can sit down under a Palmetto tree and 
be fed by ravens; no such a miracle ever hap- 
pened in St. Andrews. If you come here you 
must expect to do as much hard work, endure 
as much privation, and meet with as many 
disappointments as in any other new country. 
If you have but little money, you must be- 
come a producer. Don't depend upon a 22x 
165 foot lot with which to earn a living; it 
would not pay for fencing; in fact it is hard- 
ly worth the expense of surveying; pay your 
taxes and at some future time the property 



60 St. Andrews Baij, Florida. 

will be worth something. Go prepared to buy 
one or more acres, in a good locality, at $25 
or $50 per acre. Take yonr axe and grubl)ing- 
hoe, and exercise your muscle^ prepare the 
land for fruit trees; while they are coming 
into bearing, cultivate your land in raising 
crops, and at the end of fi\Q or seven years, I 
guaranty that when you come to make esti- 
mates you will find that you have cleared $3 
for every day's work, in the increased value 
of your fruit grove, besides what you will re- 
alize from the productions of the land, much 
more than the cost for living. But this is not 
all; you have a home — ^'there is no place like 
home ^' — you have a grove that will yearly net 
you an income of $500 to $1,000 a year. 

If you are inclined to be home-sick, easily 
discouraged, don^t think of going unless you 
have sufficient means with which to leave. 
But if you have pluck, and are determined to 
overcome every obstacle, you are just the one 
that is needed at St. Andrews, and prosperity 
will crown your efforts. 

I cannot but write very plain upon this sub- 
ject. I have been down there, and know all 
about the country. I know the quality of the 
soil, about its productiveness, and have mis- 



Aidhentlc Beport of 67 

represented nothing, but stated the true facts 
in the case. 

While there I became acquainted with Mr. 
C, B. Wheeler, an experienced apiarist, who 
has had an extended experience in bee raising, 
and is a great enthusiast in the care of bees. 
From him I learned that there is no month 
during the year but what the bee is at work, 
and that the honey is of excellent flavor, and 
of a large yield. He considers the business as 
remunerative, if not more so, than any other 
avocation. 

If you should ever visit St, Andrews be sure 
to call on our old friend, Wm. Smith, the vet- 
eran ''oyster man," in rear of Post-Office. He 
is an old resident, and can post you in regard 
to the country, from New Orleans all down 
the coast, and can open more good, fat 05^8- 
ters, in a given time, than any other man in 
the country. 

In closing this work I would say that in my 
visit to St. Andrews, [ have endeavored to 
give a faithful report of affairs as I found 
them, and all can judge for themselves wheth- 
er or not St. Andrews is the location for their 
future home. I have endeavored to set forth 
the advantages and disadvantages to be found 



68 St. Andrews Baij, Florida. 

there; its prospects and natural resources; its 
undeveloped condition, its capabilities, etc.r 
and now leave it to the consideration of the 
reader to form their own conclusions. 



It has been remarked by a Northern gen- 
tleman who had* lately been on a tour in the 
South, " That the Southern people have a 
greater sense of honor among them than we 
have. They are square, on the average, in 
every way you take them. The Southern man 
does not try to brow-beat employes, and force 
them to work for less money than their labor is 
really worth. Among the higher classes the 
rate of wages is largely determined by the 
labor alone, and as long as his demand is rea- 
sonable, it is complied with. Socially, the 
Southern man is a splendid character. The 
large plantations are almost always thronged 
with temporary guests, while there are few 
planters who do not keep open house the year 
round. They are courteous to every one. My 
opinion of the Southern man is as widel}^ 
different from what it was, as day is from 
night. It would be a good thing if the North 
could get up and take an excursion down to 
see its sisters. There would be a hearty change 
of opinion, I think.*^ 



Authentic Beport of 69 

— Why will men shiveniigh^ tarry in the 
region of the north pole when the rosy hand 
I of perpetual spring beckons them to these 
[ genial abodes is a "great moral question," 
I as the Tame Kiln orator puts it, only demon- 
' strates the strength .of old associations and 
] the power of habit.* — R. Nutting, of Blackburn 
1 University, Clarinville, Illinois. 

'' ■ — Posted on a western dug-out that appeared 

I to be abandoned: "Fore miles frum a nabur; 

' sixteen miles frum a postoflis; and twenty-five 

! miles frum a ralerode; a liundred'n atey miles 

frum timber; half mile from water; God bless 

our home. We're gone east to get a fresh 

start*" They should go to St. Andrews Fla. 

— Why people should emigrate to Florida: 
Because of its delightful climate, both 
in winter and summer, a\eraging sixtj^-iive 
degrees in winter, and rarely exceeding ninety 
degre'es in summer; owing to the constant 
sea breeze playing across so narrow a coun- 
try from either side, which enables one to 
keep cool at any' time, by seeking the shade. 

Because the soil is so easily w^orked, and 
yields so abundantly and in such variety, 
living can be had with less labor than any- 
where else. The main work is done during: 



70 St. Andrews Bajj, Florida. 

the mild, dry winters, the rains occurring 
mostly during the summer, when most needed. 
You want less clothing, and it lasts twice as 
long, there being neither coal-smut, dust, nor 
mud, to make frequent, desti'uctive washing 
necessary. Because a very small sum will se- 
cure you a home, and that home can not be 
taken from you, the law exempting from any 
forced sale one hundred and sixty acres of 
country, or half-acre of town land, with all 
improvements thereon, and in addition, $1,000 
worth of personal property, and this without 
a burdensome tax, the State of Florida levying 
for all purposes not exceeding seven mills. 
"Gulf Stream" Pensacola, Fla. 

Just Three Things. — I once met a thought- 
ful scholar, said Bishop Whipple, who told mo 
that for years he had read every book he could 
which assailed the religion of Jesus Christ, 
and he said he should have become an infidel 
but for three things. First, I am a man. I 
am going somewhere. To-night I am a day 
nearer the grave than I was last night. I have 
read all such books can tell me. They shed 
not one solitary ray of hope or light upon the 
darkness. They shall not take away the guide 
and leave me stone blind. Second, I had a 
mother. I saw her q:o down into the dark 



Authentic Report of 71 

valley where I am going, and she leaned upon 
an unseen arm as calmly as a child goes to 
sleep on the breast of its mother. I know 
that was not a dream. Third, I have three 
motherless daughters (and he said it with tears 
in his eyes). They have no protector but my- 
self. T would rather kill them than leave 
them in this sinful world, if you blot out from 
it all the teachings of the Gospel. 

Wrong — Lost— Saved.— A colporteur left 
a Bible in a godless home. As the man and 
his wife sat together in the evenings, the man 
took up the book, and reading in it, began to 
feel its power. ''If this book is true," he said 
one evening to his wife, ''we are wrong." He 
read more, and in a few evenings after said 
again, with deep concern and alarm, " If this 
book is true, we are lost." He read still far- 
ther, and through the darkness the light be- 
gan to break as he caught a glimpse of the 
cross and the Saviour ; and at last he said to 
his wife with glowing joy, "If this book is 
true, we may be saved." 

That is the story always of the work of 
grace in the heart. First, there is the ''law 
work," w^hich shows us our guilt and hopeless- 
ness in ourselves; then the Gospel comes show- 
ing us salvation and Hie.— Exchange. 



72 St. Andrews Bay, Florida. 

— Every action, every thought, every feel- 
ing, contributes to the education of the tem- 
per, the habits, and understanding, and exer- 
cises an inevitable influence upon ali the acts 
of our future life. 

Why am I a Christian ? — 1. Because my 
moral constitution shuts me up to the view 
of life presented by the Bible. 

2. Because the law of cause and effect, 
pointing to a Divine Creator, confirms this 
conclusion. 

3. Because the process by which the mind 
comes to know all, supports it. 

4. Because insuperable difficulties attend 
other theories. 

5. Because this view harmonizes v^ith all 
others of facts and all fields of knowledge. 

6. Because of the preparation for it. 

7. Because of the person and work of Christ. 

8. Because of the proofs of his existence 
in human history. 

9. Because of the adaptive and recupera- 
tive power of Christianity. 

10. Because of the special new expansions 
of this period. 

11. Because of the proved failures of all 
other moral forces to elevate and unify the 
race. 



AiitJiotflc Bcporf of 73 

— Spots can be found all over the pine hills 
of the Southern States as healthy as any for- 
ests in the world. Some invalids are begin- 
ing to understand this fact and profit by it. 
At least a million invalids and wealthy peo- 
ple in the north and west would winter in 
these southern pine hills and on the gulf shore 
if they knew the honest truth about the cli- 
mate of the Southern States. 

CHICAGO TIMES. 

An Olive Grove. — From ancient writings, 
including the Hol}^ Scrii3tures, it can be ascer- 
tained that the olive is one of the oldest known 
fruits. The Mount of Olives, near Jerusalem. 
is famous in history. Long before butter was 
known olive oil was used in the preparation 
of food. Large quantities of the oil and fruit 
have from time to time been imported here 
from the shores of the Mediteranean Sea, 
whence most of the product has been obtained. 
The climate of California, being not unlike 
that of the Mediteranean, was considered suit- 
able for the growth of the olive, and an ex- 
periment was made which has proved success- 
ful. The tree itself is pretty and ornamental. 
In springtime it is covered with a profusion 
of white flowers, and in winter has an ever- 
green foliage. When ready for the harvest it 



74: Si. Andrews Bay, Florida, 

is so prolific that the branches bend under the 
weight of the fruit. Olive wood is also beau- 
tiful, and was chosen as part of the ornament- 
ation of the spacious and magnificent Solo- 
mon's temple. The oil is considered by many 
as something sacred. As such it is used in 
consecrations and coronations. The ancients 
used the sprays of olive leaves to crown their 
great men, as it was believed to be an emblem 
uf purity and peace. It was considered the 
highest honortobe crowned with olive leaves. 
In time of war an olive branch borne in the 
hand was a token of peace, and it is even now 
spoken of as such. The olive tree lives for a 
long time. Some of the trees on the Mount 
of Olives, in Judea, are said to be fifteen feet 
in diameter and over two thousand years old, 
while that in the Vatican at Rome has a record 
of over a thousand years. The olive is very 
hardy, and will endure treatment which would 
kill other fruit trees. If infected with insects 
the entire head can be cut off and thrown 
away, while the trunk will sprout again with 
renewed vigor. Being sensitive to excessive 
heat or cold, its home is in the semi-tropical 
countries, along the gulf coast, and along the 
Pacific coast, where it is a successful industry- 

— As we have said repeatedly, there is 



Authentic Beport of 75 

nothing in the worh:l like energy. In order 
to succeed, it is required that the aim in view 
])e pursued with unwavering determination. 
A husiness man without push might as well 
shut up shop and save his moneys for sooner 
or later he will be swamped by the irresisti- 
ble onward rush of j^rogress. 

Fruit all the Yeak. — Here is Florida's bill 
of fare in the fruit line, clipped from a Florida 
paper : "There is not a day in the whole three 
hundred and sixty-five — not even leap year — 
that the people of the coast do not have fruit 
of some kind. Commencing with January, 
w^e have strawberries then and until late in 
June. Japan plums from February. Mul- 
berries are ripe in April and last until August. 
Of the various berries — dewberries, black- 
berries, and huckleberries, almost any quan- 
tity. Peaches from Ma}^ 1st. until July. Mel- 
ons from June until late in the fall. Pears, 
the very best of the kind, from July until 
October. LeCoiite pears, persimmons, pome- 
egranates, and grapes are the best of any 
country. 

— "Adam, the Catholic journal of the new 
South, a weekly paper published at Memphis, 
in a recent issue has this to say of our State. 
" It boasts not of great mineral wealth, like 
iron and coal bearing Alabama; nor of a won- 



16 Si. Andj-ews Bay, Florida. 

derous fertile soil, like the su^^ar producing 
Louisina; but it boasts of a sunny climate that 
is the QUYy of her most favored sisters; the 
flowery land of genial sunshine and luscious 
fruits, in the far-away beautiful Southland, 
to which we now invite attention; and it has 
running waters of crystal clearness, all the 
year singing the same merry song on their 
way to the great ocean. And if Paradise bor- 
ders on this earth of ours, Florida is its only 
gateway. — Gulf Streayn. 

Men who Harm a Town. — Those w^ho oppose 
improvements. 

Those who don't advertise. 

Those who run it down to strangers. 

Those who mistrust its public men. 

Those who show no hospitality to any one. 

Those who hate to see others make money. 

Those who treat every stranger as an 
interloper. 

Those who ask tw^o prices for property. 

Those who put on long faces when a stran- J 
ger talks of locating, — Ashvllle Aegis. 



I AN AUTHENTIC REPORT 

r 



— AND — 



— OF — B 



\ 



9 

^ ^^ __ 



ST. ANDREWS BAY. 



FLORIDA. 



fr ^ i 

W BY PAUL A. CLIFFORD. "S 

f < 

L This Book has an especial reference to the property dis- 2 
W posed of by the^ St. Andrews Railroad Land and Mining n 
W Company, in which thousands are interested. ^ 

W CLEVELAND, OHIO. <| 

W 1888. i 

> i 



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